Media in Niger

Niger has public and private newspapers, online outlets, radio stations and television channels. Public media include RTN, Radio Télévision du Niger, formerly ORTN, with Télé Sahel, Tal TV and Voix du Sahel available through terrestrial, satellite and web distribution. TDN, Télédiffusion du Niger, distributes public and private radio and television services. Its catalogue includes RTN, RTT, Dounia, Saraounia, Bonferey, Canal 3, Labari, Niger 24, Liptako, Tambara, Fidélité, Espérance, Anfani TV, Radio Jeunesse Sahel and Gondwana. Private and community radio and television are especially relevant outside Niamey, where they provide local information and public-awareness programming. The press includes the public publisher and distributor ONEP, whose publications include Le Sahel, the official news agency ANP, private newspapers and online outlets. The press pluralism framework formally recognizes different providers, but practical independence is uneven. Economic fragility affects private media, and independently reported news is rare on state television and radio and limited on private television. Reporters Without Borders placed Niger 120th out of 180 countries in its 2026 press-freedom index, with a score of 46.02. The ONC, Observatoire National de la Communication, became the transition regulator on 1 September 2025 under Article 71 of the Charte de la Refondation. It covers written press, electronic press, audiovisual communication and advertising. The former CSC framework, associated with the Conseil supérieur de la communication, remains a historical and legal reference for press cards, professional oversight, complaints and sanctions. The current procedure for replacing the former CSC press-card process requires confirmation from the ONC before someone relies on it. ARCEP regulates electronic-communications infrastructure and telecommunications providers, while TDN handles broadcast distribution. Maison de la Presse is an umbrella body for media organizations; its authorization was suspended on 29 January 2024 and an ad hoc state committee was put in place. Loi 2018-23 provides for freedom of audiovisual communication and recognizes an entitlement to a quality, diverse and pluralistic audiovisual offer nationwide. Radio frequencies are part of the state domain, so a radio or television provider needs prior authorization. The ONC authorization and cahier des charges set the operating requirements for an audiovisual service. Media organizations must respect the law, professional ethics, public order and security rules. The ONC mandate also includes protecting press freedom, supporting information freedom, promoting ethical conduct and providing equitable citizen access to public media. The regulatory environment has become more sensitive to security and social cohesion. Ordonnance 2025-42 on general mobilization includes monitoring and control of public and private media content. In April 2026, the ONC announced stricter treatment of security and cohesion issues. On 8 May 2026, Niger suspended France 24, RFI, France Afrique Média, LSI Africa, AFP, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart. BBC programmes and support were suspended for three months from 12 December 2024. The duration and restoration status of these measures are case-specific and should be checked before relying on an affected source. Mobile Internet connects users to online news, social networks, web broadcasts and video services. In the second quarter of 2024, Niger recorded 15,998,351 mobile subscriptions and 8,470,367 Internet subscriptions. Mobile penetration was 60.80%, Internet penetration was 32%, population network coverage was 77% and geographic coverage was 30%. These are subscription figures rather than counts of unique people. Access therefore differs by location, income, device and network quality. The four licensed mobile providers were Airtel Niger, Moov Africa Niger, Niger Telecoms and Zamani Com. A tariff snapshot from the second quarter of 2024 recorded peak voice prices of about 2 FCFA per second for Airtel and Moov, with SMS prices of 5, 10 or 100 FCFA depending on the offer. Niger Telecoms listed mobile prices of 30 or 60 FCFA per minute, a fixed connection fee of 20,000 FCFA and a monthly fixed fee of 3,000 FCFA. Prices change, so these figures describe that period rather than a permanent tariff. No Niger-specific national paid streaming service, public streaming catalogue or official subscription framework has been established in the documented media system. RTN web live services, mobile Internet, online video and social-video platforms therefore function as the main digital alternatives to conventional broadcasting. Social networks support news distribution, public mobilization, youth participation and misinformation or disinformation. Law 2019-33 applies to Internet use, mobile phones and social networks, and online publication may trigger prosecution. The decriminalization of traditional press offences under Ordonnance 2010-35 does not automatically cover electronic press. As of January 2026, no specific online-press law was confirmed as being in force; an ONC workshop held on 18 and 19 May 2026 addressed a draft ordonnance rather than a confirmed enacted law. A professional journalism pathway commonly combines ESSCOM training in media, journalism or audiovisual work with employment at a media organization. The Charte des journalistes professionnels provides ethical and professional standards. The legacy CSC framework included complaints, sanctions and powers to suspend or close media services, but current transitional procedures should be confirmed with the ONC. Youth participation has also occurred through organized projects: UNICEF Niger’s Kids Takeover in 2019 enabled children to act as reporters and interviewers through RTN, private television, newspapers and regional radio. This demonstrates a participatory media practice, not a permanent entitlement. Child online-safety guidance is relevant, but no Niger-specific standing platform age rules or parental-control scheme is established in the available information.